Zoho Creator's workflow engine is the primary mechanism for codifying business logic. Workflows are event-driven scripts that execute Deluge actions in response to form or application events. There are several workflow types (Workflows Knowledge Base):
5.1 Form Workflows
Form workflows are the most common type. They are associated with a specific form and triggered by one of the following events:
| Trigger | Description |
|---|---|
| On Load | Executes when the form page loads (for create or edit modes) |
| On User Input | Executes when a specific field value changes |
| On Validation | Executes during record submission to validate inputs |
| On Update of a Field | Executes when a specific field value is modified after save |
| On Addition of Row | Executes when a record is created |
| On Deletion of Row | Executes when a record is deleted |
| On Success | Executes after successful record submission |
| Validations on Record Deletion | Validates conditions before allowing deletion |
| Successful Record Deletion | Executes after a record is deleted |
Each trigger can be associated with one or more Deluge actions: sending email notifications, updating records, making API calls, triggering approvals, and more.
5.2 Report Workflows
Report workflows operate at the report level and can be triggered by user interactions with records in a report (e.g., a button click, a status change via a dropdown column editor).
5.3 Functions
Functions are standalone Deluge scripts not tied to a specific form event. They can be invoked from workflows, schedules, custom APIs, buttons, or via the REST API. Functions support parameters and return values, making them reusable units of business logic.
5.4 Batch Workflows
Batch workflows process large sets of records asynchronously. As of February 2026, batch workflows now automatically terminate after 15 consecutive failures to prevent runaway processing loops (February 2026 Release Notes). Batch block limits per plan: 50 (Standard), 250 (Professional), 500 (Enterprise).
5.5 Payment Workflows
Creator supports payment collection workflows integrated with payment gateways, allowing portal users to complete transactions from within a Creator application.
5.6 Workflow for Integration Forms
Since March 7, 2025, workflows can be attached to integration forms, supporting triggers: on load, on validate, on user input, and field rules. This enables automated logic based on data from external services linked via integration forms (March 2025 Upcoming Updates).